1 inch punch being a knock out hit? probably difficulthowever, short power is definitely something that can inflict damage and more than just a technique to create distance. Its a development of strength that the Chinese would call "ging." The power generation is something difficult to describe but it focuses lots of power into a small movement, whether it be a punch or a pulling of a hand. If "ging" is incorporated into my short distance punch then someone who is in a bad position will probably fly themselves off a few feet. If I pulled the guy then he'll fly in the other direction.

The strength that Bruce Lee demonstrated does not only translate into a 1 inch punch, but to many other movements as well. And the 1 inch punch still can deliver a powerful blow, especially if you can aim it to sensitive areas of the body (neck, ribs, pressure points, etc). Sure it may not knock someone out, but it'll definitely hurt. I say this confidently after feeling the short power of some of the people that train Southern Praying Mantis with me. Definitely wouldn't want to be on the recieving end.

Also short power allows you to move about faster, per say, because of the lesser distance your fist would need to travel compared to regular, non-short power. This would be ideal, it takes lots and lots of work to get that kind of power.

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"you're going to work till you wish you were dead and then keep going.."
-Sgt Slaughter

Quote:It would be MORE useful to be able to hit hard while executing good footwork as opposed to standing still and gathering your "chi" in preparation to hit.

I agree, from my point of view I don't see how I could ever use it in a practical situation. It is an interesting demo though. For me it falls into the category of moves that are visually impressive but I'm not sure of their practicality.

Lets say your opponent has you in a Muay Thai clinch, maybe you can put your hand right next to his throat and execute a one inch punch before he can get his knee up. If you hit his adams apple in the right way, you could hurt him enough to let go of the clinch maybe even do serious damage to his throat.. There are many different ways you can use the one inch punch..come on man, think! Being creative during battle is the essence of JKD

Quote:my original background is in wrestling And yes I have tried it against a grappler. It is a good way to create seperation or to start going on the offense

Its a nice theory, but the '1 inch punch' requires very specific biomechanics, that can only be applied if someone else isnt altering your centre of balance, or applying disruptive forces to you.

Its the same as all those cool 'effortless' pushes that you see in Tai Chi Demo's - they are not fraudulent, its just that they are very, very unlikely to be successfully applied in a live environment, where you are defending, bobbing, moving, counter striking etc.

Some of the principles behind such biomechanics can be utilised in 'gross' motor movement of fighting for sure, but all that will happen if you try a 1 inch punch when a grappler has you in a clinch, is that you will give them a jab about the strength of a 'crow peck' (remember them from school right? ).

The closest you will find to such a technique in a real fight, is timing a good short traditional jab or cross, so your oponent moves into it with their jaw. You see this sometimes with great boxers - just looks like a little 'pop!' but when you see the replay, the oponent has eaten the power of the punch direct from the hip, before it has been released through the arm.

But the bruce lee one inch punch (tm), is a parlour trick, nothing more. He used it to gain publicity, not as a fighting tool.